Doomed Confessionary: Florent, Enguerrand & Robin (Wizard Must Die)
Photos by Tim Petersen
Since 2013, Lyon, France based trio Wizard Must Die has been riding the waves of the stoner rock scene. Led by singer and guitarist Florent Michaud, alongside bassist Enguerand Dumas and drummer Robin Aillaud, this band blends complex yet direct rock with a progressive and psychedelic twist, drawing comparisons to bands like Baroness, Mars Red Sky, and Motorpsycho. Their debut album »In The Land Of The Dead Turtles« (2018) gained recognition for its exploration of stoner and desert rock genres.
Now, Wizard Must Die is preparing to release their second full-length album, »L’Or des Fous«, on November 15th, 2024 via Klonosphere Records / Season Of Mist. Recorded and mixed by Christophe Hogommat (Mad Foxes, 20’s Falling Man) and mastered by Thibault Chaumont (Carpenter Brut, Igorrr), this album delves deeper into the band’s identity, offering a more personal and introspective sound.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are a three-piece stoner/prog band from Lyon, France formed in 2013.
Our second LP »L’Or des Fous« is set to release on November 15.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
To find a new drummer during the recording of our first album back in 2018. Luckily Christophe Hogommat who is the sound engineer for our albums happens to be a great drummer himself, and did an amazing job learning songs, composing and recording drum parts for all 7 tracks of »In The Land Of The Dead Turtles«. After that, it was to find a new drummer. An amazing quest! We couldn’t be happier to have found the best person and drummer with Robin!
What can you be most proud of so far?
Just still being there as a band 10 years after the beginning. With our private life, the Covid period, our jobs, it’s a nice miracle 🙂
What was your biggest regret?
The lack of time….
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We had such a great time opening for Mars Red Sky a couple years ago in Lyon. Our first sold-out show (thanks MRS haha) and a very positive vibe.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Well it’s a hard one. In what sense? We really enjoyed the new Willow Smith album a few months ago. In general Radiohead/The Smile will always surprise us in the nicest way. But our last amazement came after we discovered that Gérard Jugnot (a french comedy actor) recorded ribald reggae songs in the 80s.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Not so much stoner or heavy music. It’s more indie-rock or jazz stuff like The Beths, the new Delta Sleep album, Pinegrove, Hania Rani, always Radiohead, Deftones, bands from Gondwana Records,…
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
To practice. Again and again and again. There’s no rock without work, it’s not sexy but it’s the truth.
What are your guilty pleasures?
We don’t feel guilty about any of them but to answer: practice spelling The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disater like ICE MC , or, do ice skating choreography on Abba songs without skates or even ice.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Lyon?
Lyon has so many cool bands to listen to, in many different styles. After Geography, Last Train, L’Effondras, DOPPLeR, Ni, Poil, Ta Gueule,…
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have a first run of gigs following the album’s release on late November:
28 – La Tannerie (Bourg en Bresse)
29 – La cour des miracles (Châteauroux)
30 – Release Party at Warmaudio (Décines-Charpieu)
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We will try to play more gigs in France and Europe. It could be great to take part of Desertfest for example.
How can people best support your band?
The best way to support is to order our music and merch, listen to our LPs on streaming platforms and spread the word! An album costs so much to produce and we do all this shit with no label behind us
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Well, thanks to all of them. It’s always a warm surprise to see so many people loving our music ❤️
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well